no report yet
Frontal: sensor/control module-inactive
Risk. THIS MAY, IN TURN, CAUSE THE AIR BAG READINESS LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND IN VERY RARE OCCURRENCES, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, MELTED WIRING, OR FIRE MAY OCCUR.
1997 Mercury TracerProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 142 owner complaints about the 1997 Mercury Tracer, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 11, 2010. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 1997 Mercury Tracer has problems
142 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
47Air bags23 crash/fire/injury
22Electrical system8 crash/fire/injury
21Engine and engine cooling4 crash/fire/injury
11Service brakes, hydraulic
11Suspension
9Tires
9Visibility
5Vehicle speed control
4Seat belts
1710 other systems3 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 47 | 23 |
| Electrical system | 22 | 8 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 4 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 11 | 0 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 |
| Tires | 9 | 0 |
| Visibility | 9 | 1 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 1 |
| 10 other systems | 17 | 3 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
1997 Mercury Tracer recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Mercury.
Best & worst years
1997 vs. every other Tracer year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tracer median. How we score
'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
1997 Mercury Tracer safety ratings
1997 Mercury Tracer 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 1997 Mercury Tracer, and the recalls they led to.
- WATER INTRUSION INTO AIRBAG MONITORLed to recall 02V-323
- INTEGRATED AIR BAG MONITOR WATERNo recall
In owners' words
What Tracer owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
WE HAD TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO GET IT CHECKED BY A COMPUTER AT A LOCAL SERVICE PARTS SHOP. WHEN WE CAME BACK WE STOPPED MY CAR AND IT WAS NOT RUNNING, IGNITION OFF. ABOUT AN HOUR LATER WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND ITS AIR BAGS HAD GONE OFF, BREAKING MY CAR'S WINDSHIELD AND OBVIOUSLY MAKING A MESS IN MY…
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 MERCURY TRACER. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 02V323000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE). THE DRIVER SUSTAINED…
THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE'S BUMPER AT AN IMPACT OF 35 MPH, AND NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN WRECKED BEFORE. *SC
Own a 1997 Tracer?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.